New Haven Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in New Haven often rely on life insurance connected to university employment, healthcare work, or long-term private policies. When a death occurs, insurers sometimes respond not with payment, but with requests, exclusions, or silence. Many families contact us only after receiving a life insurance claim denial that raises technical issues never mentioned while the policyholder was alive.
The Lassen Law Firm represents New Haven families and others across Connecticut life insurance disputes involving private policies, employer sponsored group coverage, and federal benefit programs. Our practice is devoted exclusively to life insurance law.
Attorney Christian Lassen, Esq. has more than 25 years of experience handling life insurance litigation nationwide and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal on insurance related legal issues. Clients work directly with him from initial review through appeal or litigation.
Why Life Insurance Claims Commonly Break Down in New Haven
Life insurance disputes in New Haven frequently involve:
Employer sponsored group policies tied to universities and hospital systems
Coverage interruptions during medical leave or enrollment changes
Accidental death investigations relying on broad or outdated exclusions
Beneficiary disputes involving former spouses, domestic partners, or estates
Policies terminated while the insured was hospitalized or incapacitated
Insurers often rely on administrative defenses rather than addressing whether coverage existed at the time of death.
How New Haven Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many New Haven life insurance claims are governed by federal law when coverage is provided through an employer. ERISA claims follow strict administrative rules that limit what evidence may be considered if it is not submitted early.
Understanding these procedures and deadlines is often the difference between recovery and permanent denial.
Examples of Connecticut Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A Westville family denied accidental death benefits after an insurer relied on a pre existing condition exclusion. Medical records supported recovery under a denied Accidental Death &Dismemberment claim analysis.
A university employee’s widow denied benefits after enrollment paperwork was mishandled. Plan documents supported recovery under a denied ERISA claim strategy.
A claimant denied benefits after a policy was terminated for nonpayment while the insured was hospitalized. Notice failures supported recovery under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse challenge.
These examples illustrate how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
The Types of Life Insurance Cases We Handle in New Haven
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving alleged intoxication, criminal exclusions, or disputed causes of death.
Policy Lapse and Termination Disputes
We examine notice compliance and billing practices when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on immaterial or outdated application information. We challenge these denials using underwriting and medical records.
Beneficiary Conflicts and Interpleader Actions
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes and insurer filed life insurance interpleader lawsuits involving competing claimants.
Federal and Group Policy Denials
We assist New Haven families with denied ERISA claims, denied FEGLI claims, and denied SGLI claims.
New Haven Neighborhoods and Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout New Haven, including Downtown, East Rock, Westville, Wooster Square, Fair Haven, the Hill, Dwight, Long Wharf, Beaver Hills, Amity, Quinnipiac Meadows, and Prospect Hill.
Do I Need a New Haven Based Lawyer for a Life Insurance Claim
Life insurance disputes are governed by contract law and federal statutes rather than local courtroom appearances. What matters most is experience handling insurer defenses, ERISA procedures, beneficiary disputes, and interpleader litigation, not office location.
If Your Life Insurance Claim Was Denied in New Haven, We’re Ready to Help
Don’t let an insurance company decide your future. The Lassen Law Firm fights for beneficiaries throughout New Haven and across Connecticut. Call 800-330-2274 today to speak directly with attorney Christian Lassen and begin your free case evaluation.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years of Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: Jan 19, 2026
Connecticut Required Disclaimers “Contingent fee arrangements are subject to the provisions of Connecticut Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c). Clients may be responsible for costs and expenses regardless of outcome.” “Unless otherwise indicated, attorneys of this firm are not certified as specialists in any area of law.”
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 800-330-2274 today!
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A grace period is the time after a missed payment during which the policy remains in force, usually 30 to 60 days depending on state law and policy terms.
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No. In most states, insurers must send a written notice of overdue premiums and warn of pending lapse before terminating coverage.
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The policy may still be enforceable. Beneficiaries can challenge the lapse based on the insurer’s failure to provide required notice.
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Yes. If the insured dies during the grace period, the policy is still considered active, and benefits should be paid.
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Yes. In group life insurance policies, employers sometimes fail to forward premiums properly, leading to wrongful lapse denials.
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Yes. If automatic payment setups fail through no fault of the insured, lapses may be challenged.
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Some policies automatically borrow against cash value to cover missed payments. Failure to apply this correctly can lead to wrongful lapse claims.
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Possibly. Some courts excuse nonpayment if the insured was mentally incapacitated and missed premiums without proper notice.
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No. Reinstatement must occur while the insured is alive, but wrongful lapse denials can still be challenged posthumously.
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Not without following strict notice and grace period rules. Beneficiaries can often challenge technical denials.
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Deadlines vary by state, but it’s critical to act within 1 to 5 years depending on the policy and jurisdiction.
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Not necessarily. Payments mailed within grace periods or accepted by insurers may keep coverage active.
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Bank records, payment receipts, insurer correspondence, and premium notices are key evidence.
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If the insurer used an outdated address despite updated information, lapse denials can often be overturned.
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Possibly. If the insured submitted a reinstatement application before death, it may help challenge a lapse denial.
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In some states, special grace periods and protections applied during COVID-19 emergencies. They can help fight wrongful lapses.
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Only if the insurer followed all legal notice and grace period requirements. Otherwise, beneficiaries may still recover.
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Misapplied premiums can lead to wrongful lapses — and courts often hold insurers accountable for these errors.
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An attorney can obtain records, challenge improper lapses, negotiate settlements, and litigate if necessary to enforce payment.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“They tried to deny my mom’s claim by referencing a vague exclusion clause. Christian quickly proved the exclusion didn’t apply. What seemed impossible at first became a closed case thanks to their persistence.”- Thomas E.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National Results
With over two decades of exclusive focus on life insurance litigation, we’ve helped thousands of families recover wrongfully denied benefits. Our reputation for fast, strategic resolutions has made us a trusted national resource for complex claim disputes.
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Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
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Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
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Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.
